Last updated on April 19th, 2013 at 07:00 pm
The Boston Marathon is referring to the two explosions that occurred near the finish line as “bombs,” which would suggest that the city of Boston has suffered a terrorist attack.
Boston Police are reporting that two people are dead, and 23 more have been injured in this explosion. Reports are that there are many, many more injured.
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Video of the explosions:
The top finishers had already completely the marathon, but thousands of runners and spectators remained when two explosions ten seconds apart rocked the area near the finish line. Media who were on the scene to cover the race say that the explosions sounded like a bomb, but authorities are currently investigating.
Heard one explosion in the media center. Thunderous. One of those things where you say, ‘That sounded like a bomb,’ but don’t believe it.
— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) April 15, 2013
Fox News is reporting that three people have died, but that report has yet to be confirmed by any other outlet.
The location and timing of the explosions suggest terrorism, and eyewitnesses are telling local media that two packages were located against a building, and the injured were bystanders. However, those accounts have not been confirmed by authorities. Another witness told Talking Points Memo that the explosions came from inside two buildings that are a half of a mile apart.
The Boston Police are finding secondary devices and are urging people to go home:
Police say are they still finding “secondary devices,” pleading with crowd to go home
— Jim O’Sullivan (@JOSreports) April 15, 2013
On their Facebook page The Boston Marathon has referred to the source of the explosions as bombs, “There were two bombs that exploded near the finish line in today’s Boston Marathon. We are working with law enforcement to understand what exactly has happened.”
The last part of their statement is key. It isn’t clear exactly what happened yet, but when someone detonates an explosive device around a crowd of people, that suggests terrorism.
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Update: Security has been increased in New York City, and Washington, D.C. Counter terrorism officials are on the scene in Boston.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association